Egypt fast-tracks recycling plant to turn Suez Canal into 'green canal'    Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Islamic limits to fighting oppression
Published in Daily News Egypt on 07 - 01 - 2010

PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Whenever terrorism strikes in Pakistan and innocent lives are lost, people wonder which Islamic injunctions the perpetrators abused to justify their acts. The North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, where I reside, has been particularly volatile recently, and people are increasingly appalled by the convoluted logic used by suicide bombers to kill our families, friends and neighbors.
In the last 30 years, there has been an increase in the number of militant Muslim organizations, such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic Jihad, that are engaged in self-declared wars against others - whether they be foreign nations, their own governments, or even members of other religious and ethnic groups - whom they see as oppressors. Such misconceptions result from a failure to understand the Quran in its proper context and the failure to read the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, or hadith, alongside the Quran.
Reading the Quran literally, many people consider some verses to be encouraging violence. Often quoted is the verse: "Sanction is given unto those who fight because they have been wronged; and God is indeed able to give them victory (22:39). Many believe this commandment is binding on every aggrieved Muslim, individually or communally, to violently fight against perceived oppression.
The prominent 8th and 9th century Muslim jurists who founded the five schools of Islamic jurisprudence - the Hanafi, Hanbali, Shafi'i, Maliki and Jaafari schools - all argue that Muslims cannot wage war without a state or government sanctioning such action. Their argument conforms to the Prophet Muhammad's saying: "A ruler is a shield. War has to be fought under his commandments.
There is logic behind this precept. If each Muslim were allowed to wage war on his or her own, Muslims would be divided without any real binding authority. This would result in complete chaos and anarchy which runs counter to the very spirit of Islam. Indeed, the Quran says, Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (7:56).
A state authority is necessary not only to maintain order for Muslims but also because of the importance and weight of treaties in Islam. The Quran advises that where there is a peace agreement between a Muslim and non-Muslim nation, the former must not wage war even if it's to help any oppressed Muslims among the latter: ".Ye have no duty to protect them till they leave their homes; but if they seek help from you in the matters of religion then it is your duty to help (them) except against a folk between whom and you there is a treaty (8:72).
The reason for this injunction is because positive relations between two larger entities -whether they be countries, states or communities - are vitally important for maintaining overall peace, whereas waging war against another country for the rescue of an oppressed Muslim minority unravels relations and creates discord for the majority.
It was only after the formation of the first Islamic polity in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad traveled with his companions after leaving Mecca due to persecution, that war was allowed in defense of this emerging state against aggressors. Thus, the Quranic verses encouraging people to participate in war against oppressors and aggressors were revealed during the Prophet Muhammad's time in Medina when a state was already established. At that time there was no concept of a national military, so it was imperative to persuade the common Muslim man, on behalf of the state and with its sanction, to fight in order to protect the growing Muslim community.
The Quran has always stressed that war is the last option and it should be fought keeping in mind all human values. It says: "God does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who did not fight against you on account of your religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, God loves those who deal with equity. It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of your religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that God forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the wrongdoers (60:8-9).
Ultimately, these verses demonstrate that no individuals or non-state actors are allowed to wage war in the name of Islam or on behalf of any Muslim community, local or global. Muslims would do well to return to the sources - the Quran and verified hadith - to better understand their key messages of respect for international law and the spirit of peace and justice that prevails in Islam.
Dr. Muhammad Farooq Khan is an Islamic scholar, columnist and television anchor from Peshawar, Pakistan. This article is part of a series on the myth that Islam is inherently violent written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).


Clic here to read the story from its source.